David Beckham came close to joining Barcelona before eventually ending up at Real Madrid, the former Manchester United star has revealed.
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It has been an excellent start for two of Manchester City’s marquee January signings. Omar Marmoush was one of the blockbuster moves across Europe in the winter window, and he became a Citizens hero at the weekend against Newcastle United with a hattrick in the first half, helping his side to a 4-0 win.
It was also a brilliant performance from new midfielder Nico Gonzalez. Essentially signed as a replacement for injured midfielder Rodri, Pep Guardiola could not have been happier with the La Masia graduate’s performance. He described the Spaniard as a “mini Rodri”, which is high praise indeed.
City also signed two new defenders, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis, who have been eased into action by Guardiola.
Khusanov and Reis’ City career so far
There is certainly an argument to be made that the two defensive signings by City in January were investments for the future as much as they are for the present. However, it was a baptism of fire for Khusanov on his City debut.
He played 54 minutes against Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side, and was at fault for a goal just a couple of minutes into the game, misplacing a headed backpass to Ederson which Chelsea pounced on.
However, he has bounced back well, making a total of three appearances and even getting on the scoresheet in the FA Cup, although it was a slightly lucky goal, with Rico Lewis’ shot deflecting in off him.
In The Pipeline
It has been an easier start for Reis, who, at 19 years of age, is slightly less experienced than the 20-year-old Khusanov. He has made just one City appearance so far, which came against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup, and he’s been an unused substitute in the Premier League.
Guardiola was very complimentary of the Brazilian, describing him as a “very exciting” player upon signing him from Palmeiras. They are certainly both signings with the future in mind, and an example of good planning from City.
However, perhaps they were not additions that were needed, given some of the talent in the City academy. In particular, there is an exciting defensive talent Guardiola could call upon.
The talented defender in City’s academy
One of the best up-and-coming prospects in City’s academy is centre-back Stephen Mfuni. The 17-year-old, who has made a real impression this season, is able to play both centre-back and left-back.
This has led to football analyst Ben Mattinson describing him as the “academy version [Josko] Gvardiol”. The Croatian star – who cost £77.6m back in the summer of 2023 – has been a shining light this season in both the centre of defence and at full-back, having chipped in with five goals in all competitions.
As for Mfuni, who was born in Wigan, not too far from Manchester, the teen starlet has played in several competitions across City’s academy this term, making a total of 18 appearances. In that time, he has even managed to further emulate Gvardiol by getting his name on the scoresheet twice.
One of the competitions in which Mfuni has really impressed is in the UEFA Youth League. The 17-year-old has been a key part of City’s side which has reached the Round of 16, starting all but one of their games, a 4-2 defeat to Italian side Inter.
Perhaps Mfuni’s best game in the UEFA Youth League came against Slovan Bratislava of Slovakia. He showcased his elite progression on the ball and his impressive ability without it.
As per Sofascore, the defender completed 86% of his passes and won seven from seven duels.
Stat
Number
Touches
98
Pass accuracy
86%
Passes completed
76/88
Ground duels won
6/6
Aerial duels won
1/1
Long balls completed
5/10
Dribbles completed
3/3
There is certainly lots of talent in the City academy, although Mfuni might be the best of the bunch when it comes to defenders. At only 17 years of age, he is also an investment for the future.
Perhaps Guardiola did not need to sign Khusanov and Reis, and instead could have backed the Wigan-born defender in the first team. Who knows, he could have the next Gvardiol on his hands.
Man City may have found their left-sided Walker in "highly-rated" teenager
Man City’s signings in January attracted a lot of attention, but the acquisition of one teenager went under the radar, even though he could be a star.
ByBen Gray Feb 14, 2025
Marcus Rashford is expected to snub Aston Villa to pursue a dream move to Barcelona, and he is willing to take a pay cut to make the deal happen.
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Rashford has heart set on joining Barça£350k per week wages potential stumbling blockUnited want to sell player at £40m valuationFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
The Manchester United attacker is believed to have his heart set on a move to Catalonia, as it has become clear that he has no future at Old Trafford with Ruben Amorim in the dugout. Villa have a £40 million ($54m) option to buy when Rashford's loan deal ends, but the 27-year-old would prefer a move overseas.
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Rashford's wages of £350,000 per week could prove a stumbling block for the Catalan giants, as they continue to battle against La Liga's salary cap. A report by suggests Barcelona would be keen on signing the player, but would be unwilling to match the £40m fee agreed with Emery's side. Another loan move with the Red Devils contributing to Rashford's pay is a possibility, but the Old Trafford club would prefer to offload the player permanently this summer to bolster Amorim's transfer kitty ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?
Rashford may have played his last game for the Villans. The hamstring injury he picked up in the build-up to Villa's FA Cup semi-final defeat by Crystal Palace will likely keep the attacker on the sidelines for at least the next few weeks. He is ineligible to play against parent club United in Villa's final game of the season.
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WHAT NEXT FOR MARCUS RASHFORD?
The mounting speculation over Rashford's future suggests any hope of a reconciliation between player and manager at United is misplaced. Wherever the 27-year-old ends up, many United fans will be sad to see one of their own shepherded out the door.
Under the management of Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur have become, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining teams to watch in European football.
The Australian’s philosophy and methods ensure that, whether at home or away, there will be a bucketload of goals when Spurs play.
However, to get the absolute most out of this style of football, the team needs a ground-covering monster in the middle of the park, someone ready to crunch into tackles and then progress the ball rapidly up the pitch, someone like Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo.
Fortunately, while they can’t go out and sign the Ecuadorian, the club have recently been linked to another exciting defensive midfielder who’s been compared to him.
According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Tottenham are one of several teams interested in signing Palmeiras star Richard Rios this month.
In fact, the report has revealed that the North Londoners have already seen an offer rejected by the Brazilian outfit but are still keen to bring him to N17, while the likes of Nottingham Forest and Everton are also pushing to land the Colombian international.
The report has revealed that the 24-year-old midfielder has a €100m release clause in his current contract, but it’s far more likely that a lower offer will eventually be accepted.
It could end up being a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line this month, but considering Rios’ ability, it’s one worth pursuing, especially as he’s been compared to the brilliant Caicedo.
So, Spurs fans might not like him all that much – he is a Chelsea star, after all – but Rios being a primarily defensive midfielder and being compared to Caicedo is a tremendously encouraging sign, but where has this comparison come from?
Well, it primarily stems from FBref, which compared players in similar positions at last year’s Copa América, then created a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and, in this instance, concluded that the Ecuadorian was the most similar midfielder to the Colombian at the tournament.
We can better understand how this conclusion was reached by looking at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, progressive passes received, non-penalty expected goals, passing accuracy, passes into the penalty area, blocks, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.
|
Rios & Caicedo |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics per 90 |
Rios |
Caicedo |
|
Progressive Passes Received |
3.00 |
3.00 |
|
Non-Penalty Expected Goals |
0.06 |
0.04 |
|
Passing Accuracy |
80.1% |
80.0% |
|
Passes into the Penalty Area |
0.80 |
0.75 |
|
Blocks |
2.00 |
2.25 |
|
Aerial Duels Won |
0.40 |
0.50 |
|
All Stats via FBref for the 2024 Copa América |
||
However, it’s not just a comparison to the Blues’ midfield general that makes the Vegachí-born star such an appealing prospect, as his general underlying numbers from the last 365 days have also been brilliant.
For example, FBref has placed the “ball-carrying machine,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, in the top 2% of midfielders in the next best 14 competitions for tackles in the final third, the top 7% for dribblers challenged and take-ons attempted, the top 8% for total shots, top 10% for passes blocked, the top 11% for goals plus assists and more, all per 90.
On top of that, Mattinson also describes the dynamic ace as a “press-resistant” monster with an “engine which allows him to get up and down the pitch all game,” which makes him sound like the perfect addition to Postecoglou’s all-action side.
Ultimately, there are risks to signing a player from outside of Europe, but Rios looks like the real deal, and with comparisons to a star like Caicedo, Spurs should make sure they sign him before someone else gets there first.
Real Madrid want him: Spurs heading for Bale repeat with "future £100m" ace
Spurs cannot sell the incredible talent this month.
By
Jack Salveson Holmes
Jan 14, 2025
Somerset rack up 605 for 6 declared as 16 wickets fall across four days
ECB Reporters Network28-Jul-2022
James Rew works through midwicket•Getty Images
Tom Banton and James Rew celebrated contrasting maiden LV= Insurance County Championship centuries as Somerset and Essex meandered to the inevitable draw.Super-sub Banton only entered the match at the beginning of the day as a concussion replacement for Lewis Goldsworthy and enjoyed himself with a scintillating 126 off 120 balls.Rew, the 18-year-old who only made his Championship debut last month, was the picture of serenity throughout his vigil. As Nick Browne and Matt Renshaw before him, he ground the bowlers down and ended unbeaten on 101.Essex’s title hopes took a massive hit against Surrey last week, and this stalemate all but ends them, while Somerset remain in the relegation places – both sides taking 12 points away from the Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford.The Somerset scorecard became a curiosity at the start of the play. Seven batters had started their innings, three had been dismissed, and four not out batters were listed.Related
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Tom Abell had already halted his innings on 90 after injuring his hamstring on day three while attempting a quickly run second. Head coach Jason Kerr said a scan would likely take place on Friday once the squad arrives back at Taunton – with Hundred side Birmingham Phoenix most keen to hear the diagnosis.While Abell could technically continue, Lewis Goldsworthy’s absence from the match was permanent. The 21-year-old had turned his head into a Shane Snater short delivery, but despite undergoing two concussion tests on the field, it was decided overnight that his condition had worsened.Banton replaced him in the XI and showed an attacking flair rarely seen during this match. He seemed particularly keen to get on top of Simon Harmer with sweep shots, often from well outside his off stump.He had previously topped out at 79 in the Championship but strolled to his ninth career fifty, and third of the season, in 66 balls. The gas was well and truly turned on in the 146 over as he took Dan Lawrence down.Three times in that single over he swung high over deep midwicket and towards the Somerset tent, just to add a flourish he slog-swept another six in the following over off Harmer.Matt Critchley wasn’t immune from the Banton barrage, with two more huge heaves over the leg side soon after.Banton, who had scored 92 runs in the morning session, had only played 27 first-class matches ahead of this match and went to three figures in 104 balls with a flick to the leg side and a fist pump.At the other end, Rew accumulated with his compact set-up. Risks were rarely taken, but reverse sweeps were consistently timed impeccably. He reached his maiden century in 209 balls.Rew and Banton put on 164, with 199 runs in total added for the fourth wicket, before the latter was caught at long-on, soon after he had been dropped in the same position.”It is a strange feeling,” Rew said. “It has come around really quickly, I’ve only been in the side for the last few games and today I’ve managed to get a few today. It has been an honour really.”It was a tough battle with Harmer. He bowled really well and I can see why he is one of the best. Every ball is a challenge. Hopefully, I’ll be facing more bowlers like that in the future. It was a pleasure to be out there with Bants. I watched him growing up a lot. He kept me in my box.”Tom Banton drives down the ground•Getty Images
Banton said: “It was a weird one. I woke up this morning at about 9am and just cruised into the ground. I knew Golders was 50/50 but I literally didn’t hit any balls before the game so that might be a key to success moving toward.”We talked about being proactive against Harmer and today it has come off. I took my chance and that wicket was probably perfect for sweeping. I kept reminding Rewy not to get carried away about how I was playing and to play his own way. Everyone is so happy for him.”I was joking when I came off that I never thought I would get a red ball hundred. To get one in the column is a nice feeling. I wasn’t meant to be playing, and hopefully Golders will be back soon, so I’m not going to get carried away. The game is such a leveller we know what will happen next week.”It was flat and slow from day one but then footholes appeared and there was more turn.”Rew and Lewis Gregory ticked through another 70 runs before Gregory was run out and Craig Overton was stumped before tea, which brought a declaration with a 100-run lead.Browne, who had been left 234 not out in the first innings, only lasted five balls before edging Peter Siddle to Renshaw at first slip but that is where the excitement started and ended as Tom Westley and Paul Walter dropped anchor.The game was put out of its misery at 5pm having seen 1,140 runs and only 16 wickets fell across four humdrum days.
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Jorge Jesus voltou a um estádio de futebol brasileiro neste domingo. De férias no país, o ex-técnico do Flamengo foi ao Nilton Santos acompanhar a partida entre Botafogo e Juventude, pela quarta rodada do Brasileirão.
Mister é amigo do compatriota Luís Castro, técnico do Botafogo. Os dois jantaram juntos nesta semana. Jorge Jesus está de férias no Brasil desde a última quinta-feira e também esteve presente na Marquês de Sapucaí para assistir ao desfile das campeãs do carnaval carioca.
>Jorge Jesus chega ao Rio, confirma contato com o Fenerbahçe e diz que acompanha o Flamengo
TÉCNICO ESTÁ SEM CLUBE
Jesus está sem clube desde o fim de 2021, quando deixou o Benfica nos últimos dias de dezembro. De lá para cá, o treinador recebeu sondagens de diversos clubes, incluindo equipes do futebol brasileiro, como Atlético-MG e Corinthians. O Mister, por sua vez, recusou as propostas e só deverá voltar a trabalhar a partir do meio do ano.
O português confirmou que teve um encontro com o presidente do Fenerbahçe, da Turquia, recentemente, mas não admitiu acerto. Segundo a imprensa turca, as partes negociam um acordo, e o treinador teria pedido um salário de 10 milhões de euros por temporada (R$ 53 mi) somando sua comissão, além de um vínculo de três anos.
– Não falo sobre clubes. É verdade (reunião com Ali Koç, presidente do Fenerbahçe), mas não falo de clubes. Vou estudar várias propostas. Tenho tempo para pensar nisso – disse Jorge Jesus na chegada ao Brasil.
RelacionadasBrasileirãoJorge Jesus vai ao Nilton Santos para acompanhar Botafogo e JuventudeBrasileirão01/05/2022Fora de CampoLuís Castro, do Botafogo, e Jorge Jesus jantam juntos no Rio de JaneiroFora de Campo28/04/2022
The league's first champion is set to be crowned the weekend of June 14
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USL Super League announces eight-team playoffDates for competition's inaugural postseason releasedChampion crowned in early JuneFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The inaugural USL Super League Championship game is set to be held on the weekend of June 14, the league announced Tuesday. The first postseason format in the competition's history, with an eight-team field, will begin on the weekend of June 7 with four matches.
The No. 1 seed will play the No. 4 seed and the second and third-place seeded teams will face off, with the higher seed hosting on each side of the bracket.
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The USL Super League launched in August, 2024 and runs a fall-to-spring calendar opposite of the NWSL, while also holding Division One status in the U.S. Soccer landscape.
"We are thrilled to unveil the dates for our inaugural playoffs," Amanda Vandervort, the USL Super League's president, said in a statement. "This marks an exciting new chapter for the USL Super League, as we bring together the top teams in the league to compete for the first-ever final. We can't wait for the playoffs in June and to see who will rise to the occasion and become the league's inaugural champions."
Playoff games will follow FIFA's strict format, with extra-time and penalty kicks to follow if a regulation match ends in a draw. Carolina Ascent FC currently sit atop the league standings.
Hosting rights for the playoffs are subject to league approval and venue availability, the USL Super League added in a statement.
In addition to a Golden Boot winner for the top goal-scorer during the regular season, a Golden Glove will be handed to the goalkeeper with the lowest goals-against average (at least 50 percent of regular season minutes) and the individual with the most assists will be named the Golden Playmaker.
DID YOU KNOW?
There's currently a three-way tie for the race for the Golden Boot, with Allie Thornton of Dallas Trinity FC, Fort Lauderdale United's Addie McCain and Carolina Ascent FC forward Mia Corbin all on nine goals this season.
WHAT NEXT?
The regular season will come to a close on May 31, with the final match of the campaign being between Spokane Zephyr FC and Fort Lauderdale United FC.
Taijul Islam and Khaled Ahmed make key incisions towards the end of the day
Mohammad Isam08-Apr-2022
Keegan Petersen scored a bright half-century•Lee Warren/Gallo Images
Stumps Half-centuries from Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma and Keegan Petersen kept South Africa’s scorecard ticking for most of the first day of the Gqeberha Test. But Bangladesh struck late in the day to keep the hosts at 278 for 5 at stumps, as honours were shared.Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who was brought in to replace the injured Taskin Ahmed, was the best bowler of the day with three wickets, while Khaled Ahmed picked up two. Both of them picked up one wicket each in the last few minutes of play, which should give Bangladesh a boost going into the second day.Taijul broke the crucial 83-run fourth-wicket partnership between Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton, the biggest stand of the day. He had Rickelton caught at slip by Yasir ali after the batter had gloved the ball in his attempt at a reverse-sweep. Rickelton looked distraught to miss out on his maiden Test fifty, as he fell on 42.Shortly after the new ball was taken, Khaled removed Bavuma when he edged the ball as it bounced more than expected, and Najmul Hossain Shanto completed the catch at first slip. Bavuma once again failed to build on a good start, falling for 67 – his 19th Test fifty, to go with just one century – as he was undone by a great delivery.Taijul Islam bowled tirelessly, and was rewarded with three wickets•AFP/Getty Images
Earlier, South Africa got off to another good start by hurrying to 107 for 1 at lunch after Mehidy Hasan Miraz became the first spinner in 87 years to open the bowling in the first innings in South AfricaSarel Erwee was the only wicket to fall in the first session when he was dismissed by Khaled’s awaygoing delivery in the 12th over. Erwee, who made 24, survived a close call in the third over of the morning when Khaled appealed for lbw. The umpire turned it down, and Mominul Haque was late at taking the review; replays showed red on all three counts.Elgar, meanwhile, found the boundaries with ease, pulling and driving comfortably. He reached his half-century off 66 balls, his third fifty in the Test series.South Africa started well after the lunch break, too, with Elgar and Petersen adding 82 runs for the second wicket. But the captain fell to a Taijul delivery that slid through, after the bowler had spent much of the day trying to draw him on to the front foot.A 27-minute rain break further slowed down the side’s scoring rate after that, before Petersen became Taijul’s second victim after having looked in good touch before the delay. Petersen made 64 before dancing down the track, missing the ball, and being struck on his pad. The umpire had denied the appeal as it looked to be going down leg, but replays showed that the ball would go on to hit leg stump.Bangladesh then broke the Rickelton-Bavuma partnership, which had kept South Africa going for 31 overs, to come back in the contest.
Pep Guardiola has done it all in the last eight years at Manchester City – be it breaking records or setting unprecedented standards in the Premier League – but that doesn’t mean he’s been without matches to forget in big games, from Tottenham Hotspur all the way to the Manchester derby.
Even as the momentum has swung entirely the way of the Citizens, Manchester United have managed to cause what now feel like upsets under various different managers attempting to replace Sir Alex Ferguson years after his departure.
A battered, beaten and down-trodden Manchester United have managed to throw things back to the good old days when Guardiola’s Manchester City side stood in front of them, and we’ve ranked the most shocking results over the last eight years ahead of Ruben Amorim’s first attempt to defeat the Spaniard as Red Devils boss this weekend.
7 Man Utd 1-0 Man City – League Cup 2016/17 Guardiola's first-season frustration
To prove that even the best need time to adjust to life in the Premier League, Guardiola struggled in his debut campaign at the Etihad compared to his incredibly high standards at least. Taking the then-champions to a third-place finish and 15 points adrift of eventual winners Chelsea, Guardiola saw his side humiliated against Everton at Goodison Park and felt his first taste of defeat in the Manchester derby, losing 1-0 in the League Cup.
In the Jose Mourinho vs Guardiola rivalry, it was the former who welcomed the Spaniard to his stomping ground of English football – a place he had long before made his mark. Squaring off in the round of 16 of the League Cup, it was Juan Mata’s goal in the 54th minute which proved to be the winner for the Red Devils to shock Manchester City.
6 Man City 1-2 Man Utd – Premier League 2019/20 Solskjaer crushes City's title hopes
One of Guardiola’s most frustrating seasons undoubtedly came in 2019/20, and Manchester United only compiled that misery. With Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the middle of one of the most dominant starts in Premier League history, dropping just two points in the first half of the campaign, City were struggling with the injury to Ruben Dias and paid the ultimate price as a result.
Manchester United weren’t exactly in an excellent position themselves, however, having eventually finished 33 points adrift of champions Liverpool to set up quite the battle up against the Citizens at the beginning of a torrid festive period.
The Red Devils raced into control from the off and didn’t look back, with Marcus Rashford’s penalty in the 23rd minute quickly followed by Anthony Martial’s effort just six minutes later to hand his side a 2-0 lead. Nicolas Otamendi’s goal to halve the deficit with seven minutes remaining threatened a comeback only to be nothing more than a consolation for a defeated Manchester City side.
5 Man Utd 2-1 Man City – Premier League 2022/23 United revel in late turnaround
It was almost like the United of old when they turned the game on its head to defeat Manchester City 2-1 in the 2022/23 campaign. In a season that eventually saw the Citizens lift yet another Premier League title under Guardiola, they once again failed to come unscathed against their local rivals. At the time, it looked to be a major moment in the title race too, as United moved within a point of City and then-leaders Arsenal remained five points clear.
The eventual champions thought they were on course for all three points when Jack Grealish converted Kevin de Bruyne’s cross on the hour mark, before four minutes to forget turned the game on its head. First came the controversial strike of Bruno Fernandes as City were left waiting for an offside flag which never came. Then, to send the Old Trafford faithful into raptures, Rashford slammed home Alejandro Garnacho’s cross to score the winning goal in the 82nd minute.
4 Man City 0-2 Man Utd – Premier League 2020/21 United end Guardiola's Covid winning run
As United shocked Guardiola once again, it was probably a good thing that fans were still not allowed in attendance across the Premier League amid the Covid-19 pandemic. With or without fans, however, the Etihad would have been silenced when Fernandes opened the scoring from the spot within just two minutes to instantly hand City a mountain to climb.
The second half didn’t start much better for the Citizens either. Having come out from the break ready to turn things around and extend their 15-game winning run, City were once again left shell-shocked. This time, it was unlikely goalscorer Luke Shaw at the centre of the scenes, wheeling away in celebration just five minutes into the second period to send United on their way to victory.
3 Man Utd 2-0 Man City – Premier League 2019/20 Red Devils complete first double since 2010
As if Manchester City’s December defeat wasn’t bad enough, they were on the wrong end of the Manchester derby for a second time in the 2019/20 campaign when they visited Old Trafford. The Red Devils took full advantage of a season to forget for the Citizens, completing their first league double over their rivals since the 2009/10 campaign.
For all of Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s downfalls, not many can argue that he had Guardiola’s number both in the 2019/20 campaign and in other moments to remember. Once again, Martial found himself on the scoresheet against the Citizens, scoring the opening goal on the half-hour mark courtesy of Bruno Fernandes’ assist.
The scenes that Old Trafford will remember most, however, is the aftermath of Scott McTominay’s goal to seal the three points and send United fans into delirium. The Scot was perfectly placed to receive Ederson’s poor clearance and sensationally lob the helpless Brazilian from range to secure victory and a league double over Guardiola in style.
2 Man City 2-3 Man Utd – Premier League 2017/18 Pogba stars in sensational comeback
Football’s a funny game, isn’t it? In the same year that Manchester City wrote their name forever into the history books as the Premier League’s first centurions, they still could not find a way to complete a double over rivals Manchester United. Even after taking a 2-0 lead and cruising courtesy of goals within five minutes from Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan, Guardiola was left scratching his head on the losing side come full-time.
Simply put though, it was the Paul Pogba show at the Etihad. The Frenchman dragged the Red Devils back into the game, volleying Ander Herrera’s chested pass into the back of the net to sweep home an excellent move in the 53rd minute. But he didn’t stop there. With the Red Devils’ tails up, Pogba found a second to equalise just moments later.
This time heading home on the end of Alexis Sanchez’s pinpoint cross in behind City’s backline, Pogba left the Etihad crowd shellshocked. Once again, however, United were not done there. Flipping the game on its head entirely, an unmarked Chris Smalling side-footed his effort beyond Ederson on the end of Sanchez’s set piece to seal a stunning comeback in the 69th minute. City became unstoppable centurions, but could not find a way past their rivals on that day.
1 Man City 1-2 Man Utd – FA Cup 2023/24 Carrington graduates spark FA Cup victory
In what has been a trend over the years, Manchester City squared off against rivals Manchester United as Premier League champions last season and in the FA Cup final, of all games. Many expected the Citizens to sweep past Erik ten Hag’s United side who had just endured the ultimate season to forget. With the Dutchman’s job still in question too, Wembley defeat would have likely ended his tenure.
As ever though, Guardiola was left shocked as City’s rivals denied his side a league and cup double to win another trophy under Ten Hag – a fact he was often quick to remind reporters of as the pressure mounted a few months ago.
It’s not Ten Hag who deserves all of the credit, however, for this was a game centred around United’s academy graduates, who stole the show to seal the silverware at Wembley. In nine minutes to savour, Garnacho first struck on the half-hour mark, before fellow graduate Kobbie Mainoo stole the show with a second.
Jeremy Doku’s late consolation caused some nerves, but champions City could not complete their comeback and were once again – and perhaps more so than ever – left shocked by an out-of-form Manchester United side.
Joe Root looked genuinely impressed by what he was seeing. As Zak Crawley drove Kemar Roach down the ground for a boundary – not exactly sweetly struck but with the momentum of his considerable levers behind it – the England captain met him in the middle of the pitch for a couple of fist-bumps and approving nods, chattering away in encouragement and eliciting a broad grin from his young charge.Given that it was boundary number eight of 16 and counting for Crawley, who was compiling the second Test century of his career, the exchange may not have been unusual but in the circumstances, it stood out.After a dirty day three when Root more commonly wore a look of anguish as his attack failed to capitalise on prior opportunity, not to mention a tumultuous start to the year, England turned the tables on West Indies with an unbroken second-wicket stand in Antigua worth 193, a century and fifty so far to its protagonists and a 153-run lead heading into the final day.Related
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Wood's elbow injury casts spotlight on England bowling stocks
After ten-year wait, Nkrumah Bonner scripts a nine-hour epic
The hosts failed to make further inroads after Roach removed debutant opener Alex Lees, lbw in single figures for the second time in the match, to put the tourists at 24 for 1, still 40 runs in arrears.On a pitch that had admittedly offered nothing for the bowlers all match, the West Indies bowlers leaked runs, Veerasammy Permaul particularly expensive in conceding 51 off his 10 overs.Fellow left-arm spinner Jack Leach, meanwhile, had been one of the brighter lights for England, bowling 20 maidens – almost half his overs – as he took 2 for 79, including West Indies’ last wicket with the third ball of the day as the hosts took a 64-run first-innings lead.Quick Jayden Seales was the man dismissed, and he did not enjoy much more success with the ball, 12 wicketless overs costing 51 runs.But Roach, who was getting considerable swing with the new ball on the fourth morning, set Lees up with a series of deliveries that moved away from the left-hander before banging one in full and straight to beat the inside edge and slam into the front pad. Lees reviewed, perhaps in hope after seeing Crawley successfully overturn an lbw decision from umpire Gregory Brathwaite in the first over, only to have it confirmed that the ball was crashing into leg stump.Crawley was yet to score when he was reprieved the first time, with Hawk-Eye showing the ball was missing leg stump by some way. He had moved to 18 when West Indies burned a review shortly after Lees’ dismissal, Crawley adjudged not out to a Roach inswinger that hit him high on the back leg outside off stump.He had to wait out a 10-minute rain delay and Alzarri Joseph maidens either side of it on 49 before he regained the strike from Root and flipped Roach off his hip for a single to bring up his fifty off 100 balls. Crawley peeled off his next fifty from 81 balls as he and Root hit full flow and West Indies floundered for ideas despite trying seven different bowling options.Joe Root celebrates his half-century•Gareth Copley/AFP via Getty Images
Caught behind off Seales for just 8 in the first innings, Crawley tightened up his defence but played expansively where it was warranted, pulling the short ball with authority, cutting anything wide and finding the boundary with the sweep and drive also.Root raised his half-century late in the afternoon session with a four off Permaul through third, and Crawley survived a hearty shout by West Indies, thinking he’d been caught at slip off the spinner, but for replays to show he had edged the ball into the pitch before it bobbed up to the fielder.Having scored 267 against Pakistan at Southampton in August 2020, his eighth Test, Crawley had made 12 single-figure scores – including two ducks – in 21 innings since.Called back into the side for the first time since the English summer for the last three Ashes Tests when England initially dropped Rory Burns and then Haseeb Hameed, Crawley scored a second-innings 77 in Sydney and survived the post-series clear-out, which also saw Lees called up to accompany him at the top of the order.Just like 19 months before, Crawley again lived up to the potential that put him there as he and Root gave England something to smile about before the intermittent rain that had punctuated play briefly a few times set in.